Massey Ferguson MF35 Reviews
A great small holders tool
Model Year: 1959
After purchase, I renewed the pistons and liners then recently changed the front tyres which had perished,and over winter the hydraulic control became very stiff so I had remove the transfer box cover and free it off. It is the 4 cylinder diesel type, notorious for poor cold stating, but with a squirt of Easy Start' it's ok. It has a fore end loader which is great for moving heavy things around (I did have to make a counter weight though.) I use it to keep the paddock tidy with a 6ft Topper and for forestry work then to drive a 28in log cutting saw.
Pros: A nice size and cheap on insurace
Cons: 4 wheel drive would be good.
Model Year: 1959
After purchase, I renewed the pistons and liners then recently changed the front tyres which had perished,and over winter the hydraulic control became very stiff so I had remove the transfer box cover and free it off. It is the 4 cylinder diesel type, notorious for poor cold stating, but with a squirt of Easy Start' it's ok. It has a fore end loader which is great for moving heavy things around (I did have to make a counter weight though.) I use it to keep the paddock tidy with a 6ft Topper and for forestry work then to drive a 28in log cutting saw.
Pros: A nice size and cheap on insurace
Cons: 4 wheel drive would be good.
My Old Hard-Worked Red Fergie
Model Year: 1957
Worked all its life on a family farm in the Mallee Region of Victoria Australia. Gradually became retired to the back of the woodpile. I bought it for $3,500 from the son of the original owner after the farm was sold. The day I bought it he had just finished sawing another 3 ton of sugar gum for the woodstove. Included was a magnificent every-which-way 7-ft. heavy duty grader blade and a post hole digger and various lifts and plows and a commercial saw. She ain't pretty, but the original standard engine starts first pop and everything works (brakes hardly). I am now looking for a ROPS bar. 048724640 Murray.
Pros: What else would outlive a hard-working father then son on the Mallee?
Cons: Bloody dangerous like most tractors.
Model Year: 1957
Worked all its life on a family farm in the Mallee Region of Victoria Australia. Gradually became retired to the back of the woodpile. I bought it for $3,500 from the son of the original owner after the farm was sold. The day I bought it he had just finished sawing another 3 ton of sugar gum for the woodstove. Included was a magnificent every-which-way 7-ft. heavy duty grader blade and a post hole digger and various lifts and plows and a commercial saw. She ain't pretty, but the original standard engine starts first pop and everything works (brakes hardly). I am now looking for a ROPS bar. 048724640 Murray.
Pros: What else would outlive a hard-working father then son on the Mallee?
Cons: Bloody dangerous like most tractors.
Poppy's Hard Working Gal
Model Year: 1964
I got this used (and I mean well used) old gal and she has hardly ever let me down. Water pump, alternator, and battery (along with one front tire) are all that have been repaired in almost 10 years. Very good tractor! Now that I'm old I just wish that I could get a newer gal with hydraulics and a front loader, not to mention hydro tranny (old knees take a beating shifting all the time). I like the all metal housing and fenders. Built to last and last she has!
Pros: Quality of workmanship---all metal and solid.
Cons: Constant shifting and only lift arms are hydraulic.
Model Year: 1964
I got this used (and I mean well used) old gal and she has hardly ever let me down. Water pump, alternator, and battery (along with one front tire) are all that have been repaired in almost 10 years. Very good tractor! Now that I'm old I just wish that I could get a newer gal with hydraulics and a front loader, not to mention hydro tranny (old knees take a beating shifting all the time). I like the all metal housing and fenders. Built to last and last she has!
Pros: Quality of workmanship---all metal and solid.
Cons: Constant shifting and only lift arms are hydraulic.
Good Old Tractor, But...
Model Year: 1963
I have the model with the Perkins Diesel engine. It starts and runs well on the rebuilt engine, though it needs some ether when it's below about 40F. The big downside to this is the 3 point geometry which limits the height to which an implement can be lifted and the lack if external hydraulics. I have seen ways to add hydraulics, but that requires you to valve off the 3 point. It is also pretty easy to jam the tranny into two gears at once, but fortunately it's also easy to fix that by unscrewing the inspection plug on top and manually disengaging the gears. Overall a nice little machine, but it dies show it's age at times.
Pros: Cheep, reliable and easy on fuel for it's age.
Cons: 3 point is limited, no hydraulic.
Model Year: 1963
I have the model with the Perkins Diesel engine. It starts and runs well on the rebuilt engine, though it needs some ether when it's below about 40F. The big downside to this is the 3 point geometry which limits the height to which an implement can be lifted and the lack if external hydraulics. I have seen ways to add hydraulics, but that requires you to valve off the 3 point. It is also pretty easy to jam the tranny into two gears at once, but fortunately it's also easy to fix that by unscrewing the inspection plug on top and manually disengaging the gears. Overall a nice little machine, but it dies show it's age at times.
Pros: Cheep, reliable and easy on fuel for it's age.
Cons: 3 point is limited, no hydraulic.
The Road Warrior
Model Year: 1971
This tractor is used to smooth the road mostly. Had the clutch rebuilt and the brakes fixed. Sometimes I can't get the wheel lock feature to unlock easily... and when in reverse, the gear pops out. Engine is strong and it starts right up.
Pros: Starts easily---has few problems---50 years old and still reliable.
Cons: Wheels lock when brake applied and hard to get out of it. Slips out of gear in reverse.
Model Year: 1971
This tractor is used to smooth the road mostly. Had the clutch rebuilt and the brakes fixed. Sometimes I can't get the wheel lock feature to unlock easily... and when in reverse, the gear pops out. Engine is strong and it starts right up.
Pros: Starts easily---has few problems---50 years old and still reliable.
Cons: Wheels lock when brake applied and hard to get out of it. Slips out of gear in reverse.
MF35 Diesel
Model Year: 1961
Great little tractor for my hobby farm. Plenty of grunt for what I need and capable of doing most anything I want. Starts every time without fail. Don't know what the previous history has been, but I drained the transmission and couldn't believe the amount of water it had gathered, and yet it had still worked well. The construction is very robust for what it was designed to do, operation is dead simple, it's easy to work on and fortunately, you can get all parts from suppliers, mainly in the UK. This one is destined for a restoration job over the next few years in order to restore to as-new condition.
Pros: Great hobby tractor for small acreage.
Cons: Haven't found any to date, after 3 years ownership.
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Model Year: 1961
Great little tractor for my hobby farm. Plenty of grunt for what I need and capable of doing most anything I want. Starts every time without fail. Don't know what the previous history has been, but I drained the transmission and couldn't believe the amount of water it had gathered, and yet it had still worked well. The construction is very robust for what it was designed to do, operation is dead simple, it's easy to work on and fortunately, you can get all parts from suppliers, mainly in the UK. This one is destined for a restoration job over the next few years in order to restore to as-new condition.
Pros: Great hobby tractor for small acreage.
Cons: Haven't found any to date, after 3 years ownership.
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Been a Work Horse on the Ranch
Model Year: 1963
I sold my 1948 Ford 8N to get the MF 35. Liked staying with gas engine. This one has done well, needing just a break job & fluid changes over the last 15 years. Still cranks almost first time. My wife doesn't like the gearbox & wants a new hydro-static drive 4 wheel drive. Oh well. Little Red has been a true work horse for me.
Pros: Cranks every time.
Cons: Antiquated.
Model Year: 1963
I sold my 1948 Ford 8N to get the MF 35. Liked staying with gas engine. This one has done well, needing just a break job & fluid changes over the last 15 years. Still cranks almost first time. My wife doesn't like the gearbox & wants a new hydro-static drive 4 wheel drive. Oh well. Little Red has been a true work horse for me.
Pros: Cranks every time.
Cons: Antiquated.
Versatile, Capable & Comfortable
Model Year: 1964
Diesel deluxe with Perkins 3 cylinder, Multi-Power transmission, power steering, live PTO, power adjustable wheels. Engine ran well when purchased and tires were good, but almost everything else needed attention. Necessary service and parts cost more than double the purchase price, but the tractor will give many more decades of service. Multi-Power is useful but makes gear shifts difficult in high range. Although mounting and dismounting can be awkward, seating is comfortable and controls are well placed. Good tractor for plow, disc, baler, bush hog and rotary tiller, anything that doesn't require lots of gear changes and reversing. Even with Multi-Power, lowest ground speed at PTO RPM is more than 1 mph, too fast for some implements, particularly the reciprocating spreader.
Pros: Compact size, low center of gravity, plenty of power, excellent engine, 3 pt draft control.
Cons: Limited transmission speeds, primitive hydraulics & brakes.
Model Year: 1964
Diesel deluxe with Perkins 3 cylinder, Multi-Power transmission, power steering, live PTO, power adjustable wheels. Engine ran well when purchased and tires were good, but almost everything else needed attention. Necessary service and parts cost more than double the purchase price, but the tractor will give many more decades of service. Multi-Power is useful but makes gear shifts difficult in high range. Although mounting and dismounting can be awkward, seating is comfortable and controls are well placed. Good tractor for plow, disc, baler, bush hog and rotary tiller, anything that doesn't require lots of gear changes and reversing. Even with Multi-Power, lowest ground speed at PTO RPM is more than 1 mph, too fast for some implements, particularly the reciprocating spreader.
Pros: Compact size, low center of gravity, plenty of power, excellent engine, 3 pt draft control.
Cons: Limited transmission speeds, primitive hydraulics & brakes.
First Time Owner
Model Year: 1958
I live in NZ but it's not one of the country options. I have always wanted to own a tractor and when we sold our Land Cruiser 4 x 4 I had enough reason to keep a tractor at our beach place to tow the boat to and from the ramp. It was always going to be a MF35 petrol and after keeping an eye on the market found just the right one. Was well used but not abused. A good clean a little panel beating and a paint job and I'm very pleased.
Pros: It's the model I have always admired. Simple and easy to repair.
Cons: None for my needs.
Model Year: 1958
I live in NZ but it's not one of the country options. I have always wanted to own a tractor and when we sold our Land Cruiser 4 x 4 I had enough reason to keep a tractor at our beach place to tow the boat to and from the ramp. It was always going to be a MF35 petrol and after keeping an eye on the market found just the right one. Was well used but not abused. A good clean a little panel beating and a paint job and I'm very pleased.
Pros: It's the model I have always admired. Simple and easy to repair.
Cons: None for my needs.
Massey Ferguson 35 Turf Special
Model Year: 1964
- Engine rebuilt 2002. - 3 point hitch slow in up position. - Leaks power steering fluid from behind the steering wheel. - All gauges work except the fuel. Other than above it's a great tractor. Always starts easy. Easy to drive---even for children.
Pros: Size, easy to handle, easy start.
Cons: Hydraulic doesn't operate that well.
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Model Year: 1964
- Engine rebuilt 2002. - 3 point hitch slow in up position. - Leaks power steering fluid from behind the steering wheel. - All gauges work except the fuel. Other than above it's a great tractor. Always starts easy. Easy to drive---even for children.
Pros: Size, easy to handle, easy start.
Cons: Hydraulic doesn't operate that well.
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Massey Ferguson 35
Model Year: 1961
Great little tractor for hobby farmer or acreage owner. Easy to find parts and spares. Very simple to use and maintain. The tractor is light and powerful for its size. Built to last.
Pros: Price and size and reliabilty.
Cons: Hydraulics not up to modern tractor standards but adequate for most operations.
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Model Year: 1961
Great little tractor for hobby farmer or acreage owner. Easy to find parts and spares. Very simple to use and maintain. The tractor is light and powerful for its size. Built to last.
Pros: Price and size and reliabilty.
Cons: Hydraulics not up to modern tractor standards but adequate for most operations.
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A Great Small Farm Tractor.
Model Year: 1963
I got this tractor from my father. I now use it a great deal for plowing snow, spreading manure, plowing and disking soil, and the many other jobs a small farm needs to have done. When my father had it we used it on our 7' haybine quite nicely. The transmission with the 3 speed plus high/low range gives a good variety of power and speed choices. Only 2 things that could be improved: clutch action requires a straight downward pressure to operate instead of pushing forward, and the height distance of the drawbar to PTO makes for an awkward manure spreader hook up.
Pros: Great power for its size.
Cons: Clutch action and PTO/drawbar distance.
Model Year: 1963
I got this tractor from my father. I now use it a great deal for plowing snow, spreading manure, plowing and disking soil, and the many other jobs a small farm needs to have done. When my father had it we used it on our 7' haybine quite nicely. The transmission with the 3 speed plus high/low range gives a good variety of power and speed choices. Only 2 things that could be improved: clutch action requires a straight downward pressure to operate instead of pushing forward, and the height distance of the drawbar to PTO makes for an awkward manure spreader hook up.
Pros: Great power for its size.
Cons: Clutch action and PTO/drawbar distance.
The Best Tractor
Model Year: 1963
Just bought the 35x, have got a couple of tea 20 Fergusons. I will remove/disable the multipower as I do not intend to do any road work or ploughing. The owner of our local tractor museum says a 35 is the worlds best tractor, as long as it has the 3 cyl diesel. So I have been looking for a couple of years for a good one at the right price.
Pros: Low range after the Fergies.
Cons: Multipower.
Model Year: 1963
Just bought the 35x, have got a couple of tea 20 Fergusons. I will remove/disable the multipower as I do not intend to do any road work or ploughing. The owner of our local tractor museum says a 35 is the worlds best tractor, as long as it has the 3 cyl diesel. So I have been looking for a couple of years for a good one at the right price.
Pros: Low range after the Fergies.
Cons: Multipower.